incite
verb
in·cite in-ˈsīt 
incited; inciting
transitive verb
: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
incitant
in-ˈsī-tᵊnt
noun incitement
in-ˈsīt-mənt
noun inciter noun
Synonyms
- abet
- brew
- ferment
- foment
- instigate
- pick
- provoke
- raise
- stir (up)
- whip (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The news incited widespread fear and paranoia. the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours
Recent Examples on the Web The events incite a modern-day witch hunt as the townspeople unload their paranoia and suspicion on Sanctuary’s resident witch and her daughter in this fantasy mystery series. 
Breanna Bell, Variety, 10 Aug. 2022 How does that not incite you to fight for the freedoms of all people? Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2022 The Saudi government has maintained in the past that its critics incite violence, broadly defined, and pose a threat to the kingdom’s security. Isabel Debre, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 July 2022 The incident also included teens shooting fireworks in the crowd and claiming there was an active shooter in an attempt to incite panic among fairgoers. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2022 Both major blooms in 2012 and 2018 happened right after 500-year rainfall events, so Sterner suspects the heavy rainfall injected the lake with enough nutrients to incite a bloom. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 No, the Jordan Montgomery Revenge Game may not spawn a limited Netflix series, but a strong showing against the club that traded him despite gobbling up largely quality innings will certainly incite some blathering back in New York. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Chappelle has faced criticism for comments that LGBTQ advocacy groups say could incite harm against transgender people. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 The prejudice against welcoming women aboard commercial or military vessels was ancient and held that women would distract male crew members and incite the wrath of the sea. Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 See More
Breanna Bell, Variety, 10 Aug. 2022 How does that not incite you to fight for the freedoms of all people? Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2022 The Saudi government has maintained in the past that its critics incite violence, broadly defined, and pose a threat to the kingdom’s security. Isabel Debre, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 July 2022 The incident also included teens shooting fireworks in the crowd and claiming there was an active shooter in an attempt to incite panic among fairgoers. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2022 Both major blooms in 2012 and 2018 happened right after 500-year rainfall events, so Sterner suspects the heavy rainfall injected the lake with enough nutrients to incite a bloom. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 No, the Jordan Montgomery Revenge Game may not spawn a limited Netflix series, but a strong showing against the club that traded him despite gobbling up largely quality innings will certainly incite some blathering back in New York. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Chappelle has faced criticism for comments that LGBTQ advocacy groups say could incite harm against transgender people. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 The prejudice against welcoming women aboard commercial or military vessels was ancient and held that women would distract male crew members and incite the wrath of the sea. Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- + citare to put in motion — more at cite
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
incite
verb
in·cite in-ˈsīt
incited; inciting
: to stir up usually harmful or violent action or feeling The news incited panic.
Medical Definition
incite
transitive verb
in·cite in-ˈsīt
incited; inciting
: to bring into being : induce to exist or occur
organisms that readily incited antibody formation
Legal Definition
incite
transitive verb
in·cite in-ˈsīt
incited; inciting
: to urge on
incite a riot
inciting 1 of 2
adjective
as in charged
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction a deliberately inciting comment questioning someone's manhood started the brawl Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- charged
- provocative
- provoking
- motivating
- instigating
- motivational
- stimulating
- exciting
- inducing
- triggering
- piquing
- motivative
- inflammatory
- instigative
- inspiring
- incendiary
- edgy
- explosive
- taunting
- activating
- teasing
- galvanizing
- jeering
- energizing
- inspirational
- upsetting
- aggravating
- angering
- enraging
- quickening
- annoying
- fiery
- irritating
- vitalizing
- maddening
- exasperating
- vexatious
- vexing
- bothersome
- irksome
- pesky
- galling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noninflammatory
- subduing
inciting
2 of 2verb
1
as in provoking
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours Synonyms & Similar Words
- provoking
- triggering
- promoting
- raising
- fomenting
- encouraging
- instigating
- abetting
- stimulating
- brewing
- fermenting
- cultivating
- picking
- fostering
- stimulating
- furthering
- motivating
- inspiring
- inflaming
- setting in motion
- nurturing
- stirring (up)
- forwarding
- detonating
- sowing
- whipping (up)
- advancing
- galvanizing
- rousing
- activating
- nourishing
- enflaming
- energizing
- exciting
- setting off
- setting
- enlivening
- invigorating
- firing
- quickening
- vitalizing
- jazzing (up)
- pepping (up)
- livening (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inhibiting
- regulating
- restraining
- curbing
- discouraging
- holding
- taming
- constraining
- checking
- subduing
- bridling
- allaying
- soothing
- calming
- quieting
- settling
- stilling
- reining (in)
- tranquillizing
- tranquilizing
2
as in encouraging
to rouse to strong feeling or action the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot Synonyms & Similar Words
- provoking
- encouraging
- stimulating
- stirring
- sparking
- instigating
- arousing
- inspiring
- motivating
- inducing
- moving
- triggering
- exciting
- driving
- igniting
- piquing
- inflaming
- fomenting
- impassioning
- fanning
- activating
- motiving
- galvanizing
- angering
- abetting
- energizing
- enflaming
- enraging
- revving (up)
- animating
- kindling
- firing (up)
- building a fire under
- bothering
- taunting
- quickening
- teasing
- vitalizing
- fermenting
- upsetting
- raising
- jeering
- setting off
- aggravating
- irritating
- getting
- maddening
- pumping up
- annoying
- exasperating
- vexing
- galling
- keying (up)
- whipping (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subduing
- calming
- soothing
- appeasing
- placating
- pacifying
- tranquilizing
- tranquillizing
- mollifying